TABA hosts 40th Home, Garden Show

For the 40th year Temple Area Builders Association put on their annual Home & Garden Show this past weekend at the Bell County Expo Center. This year the event kicked off on Friday evening to the public, making it a three day event to learn all about the local businesses to help you with your home both inside and out.

Sponsor and Vendor Booths filled up the Bell County Expo Center both Garth Arena and the Assembly Hall in addition to half of the Exposition Building during this large event. Attendees could be seen carrying tote bags from vendors as they filled them with information pamphlets and contact information. The assortment of vendors included, but not limited to; home builders, landscapers, mortgage lenders, home repair and heating and air conditioning companies.

“It has been fun a good day at the show today, a nice steady flow of people.” said Russel Patjeska, owner Russel Patjeska Company. “It was a nice crowd on Friday. I’m glad they opened the show up to the public on Friday, it really makes it worth setting up all day on Friday.”

In addition to the many businesses at the TABA Home & Garden Show, non-profits had booths set up as there chance to get out in the community and show what they have to offer and how to help. Non-profits from organizations such as animal rescue, gardening, homes for the low income and wounded veterans were at the event spreading their mission and offering help.

“We don’t always get a chance to be at events and tell about ourselves, it costs money to set up a booth, but this is one event where we can gather many people interested in what we have to offer.” said Zona Craft, administrative assistant, Bell County Habitat for Humanity Re-Store. “The Re-Store is amazing, you can buy many items for repairing and renovating your home at below cost. We have our 2nd Annual Glow Run coming up on March 7th and we are also doing our annual raffle for a playhouse, come see us.”

Hope for the Hungry a ministry located here in Belton, attended as a non-profit at the TABA Home & Garden Show this year. Hope for the Hungry was spreading their mission “Home for Another” program, where they raise money to rebuild citizen’s homes after devastating earthquakes.

We have had the ability to talk with people at the home and garden show, that we wouldn’t have been exposed to otherwise.” said Jen Sulton, director of Children’s Ministries. “We are telling everyone about our 5K coming up, “Trails of Hope” on February 28th in Belton. All proceeds of the race will benefit the programs we are involved in.”

Central Texas Master Naturalists had a booth set up with information on our local natural resources and conservation efforts for our plants and wildlife.

“If you love the outdoors, you maybe interested in the Master Naturalist Program, and we have classes coming up that start on March 31st with an orientation on March 24th.” said Zoe Roscoe, founder, Central Texas Master Naturalists.

Not only was information available just by walking around and visiting booths some vendors even hosted workshops and seminars in a cordoned off area with chairs and a screen for slide show presentations from the Bell County Master Gardeners.

Ray Machovsky, master gardener, Bell County Master Gardeners, said. “We help people with their questions on plants, animals, trees and shrubs. We will come out and troubleshoot your problems, most problems are with trees. In the spring and fall we have plant sales open to the public and we will be having a Texas Master Gardener Conference coming up soon, on April 16th at the Bell County Expo Center.”

Vendor booths had companies from all parts of Texas and some nationwide, but many vendors and sponsors were from the local area and ready to help attendees with that next project in home repair, renovating or purchasing.

“We experienced great exposure for our newly named real estate company with attendees, customers, clients plus visiting with other vendors at the TABA’s Home and Garden Show. The TV, radio and printed media advertising provided exceptional coverage for us. We appreciated the opportunity to be one of the sponsoring partners and to visit with so many friends and new acquaintances.” said Sara Irvine Broker, GRI, TRC Sojourn Real Estate. “We are a new real estate name featuring a long time location and familiar long time sales associates. After twenty two years, Joan Mikeska Realty, Inc. has been purchased and the Sojourn Real Estate sales associates will continue to provide the same quality of services to buyers and sellers.”

Tara Moore, co-owner, Moore Air, said. “This event has been good, we have gotten inquiries, people interested and we have been handing out marketing materials. We even already signed up some estimate service calls already.”

“We have been in business in Belton for over ten years.” said Joe Moore, Moore Air.

“Very busy, this is a great event for business.” said Keith Moore, Moore Air.

Many businesses with booths set up at the TABA Home & Garden Show had services they offer for free in addition to what they sell, such as free estimates and inspections.

“Dr Watt’s Electric will be offering free home electrical inspections, good until now through March.” said James Baker, owner, Dr. Watts Electric. “We offer this for your protection, we do not want you losing your home in the middle of the night to a fire, simple because you had a bad plug outlet.”

“Come see us for roof replacements, we will do a free inspection.” said Nick Grady, Heritage Construction.

The show room of the Exposition Building hosted an array of displays, from lawn and landscaping tractors, pools and spas, locally made wooden structures such as sheds and gazebos and a car show.